Lincoln City held promotion chasing Sunderland to a goalless draw in front of a record attendance at the LNER Stadium.
Sunny skies shone over a packed out LNER Stadium, as Lincoln City welcomed Sunderland for their Sky Bet League One fixture.
The Imps came into the game off of the back of a 2-1 defeat away at Rotherham in midweek, whilst Sunderland were sitting just inside the playoff positions and beat Crewe Alexandra in their last game.
Kick-off
Patrick Roberts looked a threat for the visitors from the off, forcing the Lincoln City defence into action on numerous occasions in the opening ten minutes.
The Imps were struggling to maintain the ball in midfield, Sunderland picking the loose ball up and pushing forward through Carl Winchester and Luke O’Nien.
Lincoln withstood the early pressure and began to get themselves into the game, using the width provided by their wing-backs to stretch the game.
On 25 minutes, a slip from Brooke Norton-Cuffy gave Jack Clarke space to release a shot from just outside the box, his effort going wide, but enough to get the Sunderland fans behind the goal excited.
19/03/2022
Photo Credit – Finley Cannon
The Lincoln fans were given very little to shout about by their side, but Corry Evans changed that when his heavy challenge on Imps’ midfielder, Lewis Fiorini had the home fans calling for him to be sent off, but he was only shown a yellow.
Tom Hopper had the best chance of the half for the Imps in the 44th minute. A well placed through ball by Cohen Bramall for John Marquis down the left gave the forward time to cross the ball. But Hopper was unable to test Patterson in the Sunderland goal.
It was a disappointing first half from both sides as they went into half-time goalless.
Half-time: Lincoln City 0-0 Sunderland
The second-half had more energy. Both sides playing with more urgency, on and off of the ball.
Sunderland came closest on 54 minutes, well worked play into the box gave Evans the chance to shoot, but his effort was tame and came back off the post to be cleared by Lincoln’s defence.
Once again, the visitors came close. Just after the hour mark, Jack Clarke released a shot across goal as he arrived late at the far post. Jordan Wright was untested as the shot went just wide.
Michael Appleton sent on Morgan Whittaker, replacing defender Joe Walsh and changing to a back four. The change was a sign of intent for the Imps, who needed to offer more going forward.
The introduction of former England international, Jermain Defoe lifted the atmosphere in the away end. The Sunderland forward showed his quality with a fantastic first touch on his arrival.
Lincoln City vs Sunderland
19/03/2022
Photo Credit – Finley Cannon
With 7 minutes remaining, Lincoln City substitute Liam Cullen forced Antony Patterson into a reflex save, when he headed a looping cross towards goal.
Both of the Imps’ substitutes were looking dangerous in the late stages of the game, as the home side pushed on.
In the dying moments Jordan Wright made a second magnificent save of the game. His stretching stop, preventing a certain winner for the visitors and ensuring a valuable point for Lincoln against the former Premier League side.
Full-Time: Lincoln City 0-0 Sunderland
Michael Appleton’s side will take the positives out of the result as they travel to Shrewsbury for their next game in a week’s time.
Jordan Wright with a man of the match performance and supressing concerns about a lack of experienced goalkeeper.